Prague  - The Czech economy slowed down in the first quarter of 2008 to show 5.4 per cent year-on-year growth compared to 6.6 per cent in the previous quarter, according to preliminary government data released Thursday.

The first-quarter growth was driven by increased employment and productivity, the Czech Statistical Office said in a statement.

The Czech Republic's economy has boomed in recent years amid investments by foreign automotive and electronics makers.

But analysts and international organizations expect the Czech Republic's gross domestic product to fall from the record 6.5-per- cent levels of recent years to below 5 per cent in 2008. (dpa)